Rhys Winterbourne

 - beauty is in the heart of the beholder - about | muse list sub-blog to ura-wizardharry same rules apply

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

“William Wordsworth and Lord Byron are two of my favorites,” she admitted easily. “As for what I do not like, I was actually thinking of a verse I was forced to listen to once. Thankfully, it was nothing that has been published.” 

She set her fork down as well and lit up in excitement at the mention of Shakespeare. “I love Shakespeare’s works, if I’m honest. The play you mentioned is actually my favorite by him, although I also love his sonnets. Beatrice is quite entertaining.”

He nodded his agreement with her choices and chuckled at her comment, about one she disliked, his curiosity piqued. “Was it a former beau and his enthusiastic prose that displeased you?” he asked with a smile, his interested gaze only on her. The way she brightened at her comments about the Bard had Rhys again wondering why no one had bothered to ever send her flowers.

“There is a line in his 15th that always struck me. ‘When I consider every thing that grows... Holds in perfection but a little moment...’” Rhys shook his head, and sighed. “I believe either the poet did not consider just how long the length of time a little moment might be to the one experiencing such perfection. Or — he was so distracted by this one moment of perfection, he’d quite missed all the others that were occurring around him.” 

He tilted his head at her. “Like this moment,” he said quietly, his gaze steady on hers, a smile forming on his lips in full admiration of Penelope. “The perfection of being able to share this moment with you has already lasted a dance and nearly the entirety of this meal.” 

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

mesmusae​:

She chuckled. “It truly does. Mr. Rutledge requires quite the woman,” she said. It was as polite a statement as she could make about the man that made her skin crawl. “But one can never outright refuse him. It’s rather tedious.”

She followed his glance to her dance card, cheeks turning a bit red. She looked back to him, standing a little straighter. “Well. No. I rather enjoy dancing.” She did. It was fun. If a bit awkward when dancing with certain strangers. “I just..was a bit careless with my card. I’m sure my mother will be most displeased at the state of my card.”

He watched the color bloom in her cheeks and lowered his gaze at the mutilated card. “I see,” Rhys said quietly, nodding his head. “It does seem to have been the chew toy of the host family’s pet.” 

Raising his gaze, he caught hers, a twinkle gleaming in his eye as he offered her a story he would corroborate if asked. He reached out and took the card from her, pulling from his pocket a writing instrument. He fought the desire to laugh aloud, his lips twitching, as the tip of his pencil poked a hole through the abused paper. Keeping to a lighter stroke, he wrote his name, ignoring the deep ridges and wrinkles. 

“I’ve claimed the dance before dinner,” he told her, pointing to the line. “I find i have a desire to protect you from the possibility of sharing a meal with Rutledge.”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

entangledmuses​:

“I beg your pardon?” She asked, looking up at him. “Should I know who you are? Why would I know why they are staring at you?” She questioned. 

“I did not mean it as insult, but more to give you a warning that they were doing such a thing.” She replied.

She wondered why they were looking, but was not about to ask, given how rude he was when she warned him.

“I shall leave you to be a wallflower.” She said quietly and made her way towards one of her brothers.

Her wounded response was unexpected and Rhys belatedly realized his frown must have caused her to misunderstand his irritated words. Now he had come off rude when he was simply annoyed by the unwanted attention he’d been bestowed by marriage-minded misses and their mamas.

As she turned to go, he reached out and pressed a gentle touch of his fingertips to her forearm. He took a step forward and dipped his head to speak.

“I did not wish to offend,” Rhys said in sotto voce. “I was not upset by your observation, only vexed that I am on display like some exotic animal.” He lifted his head, dropped his hand from her arm aind sent her a somewhat deeper bow (more pronounced than the inclination of head he’d earlier offered) to indicate his contrition. 

“I do apologize, Miss—?” he lifted a brow, sending her an inquiring look, his lips tilted in a half smile.

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

mesmusae​:

Aurelia smiled, chuckling softly. “I’m afraid the fault is mine. I’d become entirely unaware of my surroundings,” she offered. That much was mostly true. Given she’d decided to ignore his presence behind when she thought him heading for the tables as well. 

“Though it is nice to meet you too, sir.” She glanced down to her hand, letting go of the card and smoothing it out quickly. Her mother would scold her for the carelessness. But it was just a card. With a couple names from earlier dances. One particularly stubborn old man that she’d been dodging since she found herself free.

“Oh. No,” she admitted. “I’ve been avoiding Lord Ruteledge. He seems to have his eye on all the women far too young for him. It hasn’t really

Rhys lifted his head to scan the room and his eyes fell on a portly, obviously balding, titled, yes, but cringeworthy man he knew as Rutledge. With a small shake of head he turned to look at the woman. “It would take a great deal of focus to avoid a man so obviously on the prowl.” His gaze dropped again to her crumpled card, his curiosity stoked.

“Had you planned on sitting out the rest of the dances?” he asked, his hands clasped behind his back. “Shame if you were, I’d have liked to dance with you.”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

She listened with rapt interest as he described the types of books he liked to read. It seemed they had a lot in common already with their taste in books. “I would very much like to see it. It sounds like a wonderful collection. Poetry is one of my favorites as well.” 

She looked down at her plate, a memory flashing by her eyes. “At least, well written poetry at any rate. Some of it is not to my taste. I will read pretty much anything I can get my hands on though.”

“And do you have a favorite poet?” he asked curiously, laughing lightly at her comment about poorly written verse. “You seem to have strong opinions about what is not to your taste. Care to share?”

He set his fork down and waited for the footmen to clear the table for the next course. “Do you like Shakespeare? I find his Much Ado About Nothing rather entertaining. It reminds me a lot of Londontown.”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

She looked at him in awe as he said he wanted to get to know her better. It was not something she was used to hearing, but she quite liked it. Even though it made her face flush again. She took a bite of the next course and contemplated the correct way to respond. 

“I am quite interested in getting to know you better as well,” she replied, a genuine smile on her face. “Anyone who Eloise speaks so highly of is definitely worth getting to know.” Her smile faded a bit as Colin acted smug once again. With his attentions fully back on their meal, she hoped that she could now fully focus on her conversation with Rhys. 

“I know we were discussing books earlier, but I never got to ask. What do you like to read?” She asked curiously.

Rhys returned her smile, grateful for the presence of a new platter of food that Colin was now helping himself to. 

At her question about books he tilted his head, his gaze faraway. “I have an extensive library that I use often. I have to read a lot of non-fiction just for the upkeep of the land. My father trained me, but there are some things, animal husbandry, for instance, in which he was not well versed. You have a sampling of the sorts of books I like to travel with, adventure novels. I, of course, read Greek and Latin, due to my level of schooling. I enjoy poetry.” 

He sighed and turned to her. “I would very much like to show you my library at some future date.”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

“There is no need for that. I am unsure why your cousin thinks I am busy tomorrow, but I am not.” There was a hint of steel in her voice but her smile towards Rhys was genuine. “The only thing I had planned was reading the latest novel I picked up from the book seller. I would be most grateful for your company.”

She considered his offer to meet her mother, debating whether or not it would help. She honestly did not know, but she doubted it. Moreover, it would add even more gossip to her already eventful evening. “As much as I appreciate the thought, I doubt my mother’s behavior would change overly much. In all honesty, she would probably try to direct you towards one of my older sisters instead of me.”

At the sound of Penelope’s dismissal of Colin, Rhys decided he would simply ignore the man. The next course had arrived and he busied himself serving the ladies and even graciously handed the serving tongs to Colin, who seemed preoccupied. Instead, Miss Jenner took hold of them and sent him a small smile. He nodded graciously at her.

“It would please me to provide you company,” he said. When she went on to further prepare him for her mother he cleared his throat.

“Pardon, Miss Featherington, I have no interest in your sisters.”  He caught her gaze. “My interest rests solely on getting to know you better.”

If there was one person left on this earth who he thought to be good counsel, it would be his Aunt Violet and he was going to ensure he would do what it took to take measure of Penelope as a future bride, wife, mother and baronness. 

“I assure you, I will make that very clear to your mother if she decides to send me towards one of your sisters.”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

Penelope’s mouth opened slightly in surprise, a quiet “Oh!” escaping her lips as she blushed again. This had never happened to her before, and despite how kind Rhys had been to her, a part of her had not been expecting that. She steadily ignored the sound coming from Colin’s direction before nodding in agreement. 

“I would be quite open to that, my lord. It will be nice to get to know you better.” She agreed, silently adding to herself the fact that it will be nice to talk without being so aware of having the man she couldn’t seem to get over eavesdropping on them. “I do apologize in advance for anything my mother might say or do, however. She is not exactly used to gentlemen calling on me.” 

Her words stopped at Colin’s sudden interruption, her jaw clenching in confusion and irritation. 

His smile widened and he ducked his head at her surprised exclamation, listening to her unexpected preemptive apologies for her mother. 

“Would it help you tomorrow if I were to make an effort to make your mother’s acquaintance this evening, Miss Featherington, so as not to give her any reason to deserve the apologies you are so diligently offering now?”

He tilted his head at her. Rhys honestly could not imagine why no one hadn’t already offered for the lady beside him. There was obviously nothing wrong with her and he felt assured, once he got to know her better, would prove to be a more than valuable partner and wife.

When Penelope stopped speaking due to the rude noise, Rhys let out a small aggravated exhale and sent his gaze heavenward. He heard Colin’s comment and turned to the man. Rhys raised a brow and then turned to Penelope.

“I would be happy to call at a different time if it is more convenient for you?” he inquired, his tone a practiced politeness that hid the feeling of needing to punch Colin after the party.

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

She smiled back at him as her gaze met his. She felt a slight pang of disappointment when Colin distracted him with his choking. The theory of Colin being jealous, despite not making sense, was gaining evidence in her mind. He did not want to marry her himself, so why was he acting like this when someone else hinted that they might?

“That sounds refreshing actually,” she murmured, purposefully not looking at Colin. “It can get rather stressful wondering about people’s motivations for doing things and whether your actions will end up in gossip columns.” She paused, finishing her pheasant as she considered what else to say. “You do very well for someone who says he forgets the niceties,” she complimented.

Rhys nodded his head slightly when she spoke of the difficulties of people’s motivations in London and the fear of finding one’s name in the gossip rags. Somehow, however, he felt the initial part of her statement wasn’t entirely directed at him.

He turned to her, ignoring Colin’s open eavesdropping, his smile revealing a long dimple in his cheek, “Then, if you do not mind my forward manner, Miss Featherington, would you be open to me coming to call on you tomorrow morning?”

Rhys’s jaw ticked at the sound of gagging coming from his cousin’s seat at the table.

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

Penelope blushed, not used to having a gentleman’s full attention on her. Rhys’s words made her feel warm, and she did not know how to respond to them. At the beginning of this evening, she had been fully under the impression that it would be very unlikely for her to ever get married, no matter that Lady Violet thought she could find a match for her. Now though, she was rethinking that opinion. 

Especially when she heard his response to Colin’s question. She coughed in surprise, her eyes widening further. She did not want to get her hopes up too high, but Rhys’s description sounded a lot like her. She smiled shyly at him. “I wish you luck in your endeavours, my lord.”

A gentle smile touched his lips at the sight of the pretty pink blush that tinged her cheeks with his words. When she spoke he caught her eye. “In my life, I do not like to leave much up to luck, Miss Featherington. I rather like making my own luck.”

He looked up, a bit annoyed at the choking sound coming out of his cousin from across the table, and he couldn’t help his amusement at the wide-eyed expression on Miss Jenners face.

“I suppose we do things a bit differently up North,” he continued, by way of explanation. “We may not be as urbane as the ballrooms of London, but we do pursue what we desire with direct, dogged purpose as opposed to silly game-playing where rules change with the barest hint of gossip. I often forget the niceties required from someone of my station at gathering such as these.”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

Her lips quirked up as she watched Rhys’s response to Colin’s petty behavior. It was interesting to watch how they acted around each other. She would have to ask Eloise for an explanation later. “You are completely right about your cousin. She is my dearest friend, and I truly do not know what I would do without her.”

Her eyes widened slightly in surprise at his next question. Truth be told, she had never allowed herself to imagine her wedding. She knew well enough that she would be lucky to even receive a proposal from a gentleman, so there was no use in being particular. “Ah, no, I do not. While I am sure my mother would prefer that of me, I am not good at being the center of attention.”

Rhys’s full attention was on Penelope. “It is rare, indeed, to find a woman who has not imagined every last detail of her wedding day, down to the frills she might wear in her hair.” His gaze warmed when she spoke of not wanting to be the center of attention.

“As a bride you would naturally be the center of attention for the day. I think you may have to, when your wedding day happens, acclimate to that. I imagine, it would help if you had a supportive husband on whom you could rely to gather a bit of that attention away from you.” He looked up to see Colin gaping at Penelope blathering about not wanting to get married anytime soon. Rhys’s lips quirked.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, Cousin. And it certainly is a relief for those of us who do wish to marry soon. We can woo the prettiest and most interesting young women who do not cower under an overbearing mother or wither when other females might try to tear them down.”

When Colin sent him a murderous look, Rhys declined his head and sent him a small smile that only could be considered a dare.

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

“I have read Gulliver’s Travels, but not the other two. I would be very interested to read them though,” she replied with a smile. As she continued to eat, she could not help but notice the look on his face at his last sentence. She shook her head in response, not wanting him to think that she included him in that group. 

“Oh definitely not, my lord. While I may not know you well, you have already treated me with more respect than most do. Your cousins being the only exception to that.” Her lips quirked up slightly in amusement. “Although sometimes I have to wonder if part of that is their fear of Eloise’s wrath if they did not.”

“They are very engrossing, the novels,” he said, clarifying. He watched Colin continue the petty behavior with the serving fork and with a glance up to a nearby footman, Rhys was given another serving fork, which he used to spear a piece of the poultry, and left the handle of the fork pointing toward Penelope should she wish to use it.

He laughed at her comment about Eloise. “She is fearsome,” Rhys grinned. “But she is a steadfast friend. One to be treasured no matter your marital status. If you were to marry, Miss Featherington, do you imagine a grand wedding for yourself?”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

“Oh those are two good questions,” she replied, taking a bite of the meat and using the time she was chewing to think of her answer. “If I could have my own library, I would fill it with novels, plays, poetry, and books about other lands.” She took a sip of water, a small smile on her face. “Although really, these days I will read anything I can get my hands on, but those are my favorites.”

She paused, uncertain of how to answer the second question. She did her best not to look in Colin’s direction as she responded quietly. “As for what would gain my respect.. being able to stand up to people like my mother, who have completely written me off as an unworthy marriage prospect; to not be fooled by people like Miss Cowper; and the ability to use one’s mind to make decisions on things, which negates most of the people here, unfortunately.” She shook her head and went back to eating her meal.

“I am visiting my aunt, as you know,” Rhys began, a smile on his lips as he turned to her. “I have a few novels that you may not have already read. Robinson Crusoe, Don Quixote, and Gulliver’s Travels? Have you perchance, read any of those?”

His gaze dropped to the fork in his hands as she spoke of needing a man — a husband who would respect her, cherish her, protect her. And he dipped his chin a little, wondering just how much she’d been mistreated, misunderstood, unseen by those closest to her.

“I hope you would not include me amongst those who would not rise to such basic expectations of consideration.”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

mesmusae​:

Aurelia hadn’t noticed the man behind her. Or more accurately, assumed it mere coincidence that he was heading that way and chose to continue on her mission towards refreshments. Her dance card was clutched rather carelessly in her hand, and crumpled. 

She paused briefly, studying the table before reaching for something. She should have continued to pay attention to man. Perhaps she wouldn’t have made a fool of herself bumping into him if she’d noticed he’d still been behind her. She stumbled, which irritated her to no one. One of the things she prided herself on was her grace. But her hand grabbed his, briefly shocked, and she did her best to recover herself, hoping no one had seen.

She looked up at him, head tilting to the side briefly. “Fulton. Aurelia Fulton,” she said softly, giving a curtsey of greeting. “And what might your name be? So I can give proper thanks.”

He gave her a slight bow, and as was custom, stated his title and territory as to give his first and surname would be too intimate for such a meeting. 

“Baron of Beanley, Northumberland,” he replied. “A pleasure, Miss Fulton and my apologies for nearly tipping you over in my quest for a slice of ham.”

Rhys stared at her for a moment and then his gaze dropped to her wrist. 

“I wonder, Miss Fulton, is your dance card full?”

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

@entangledmuses

"They are watching you." Eliza breathed softly as she stood beside the tall Gentleman "Is there a reason they are looking at you?" She smiled softly.

Rhys inclined his head at the unknown woman. He firmed his mouth and surveyed the room. She wasn’t wrong. 

“And is it only curiosity that has you speaking to me rather than simply looking?”

[youaremylittlesunshine]

[lordrhyswinterbourne-blog]

betweenthesinnersandthesaints​:

“A dog?” She asked in confusion before understanding dawned in her eyes. She shook her head, turning her head just enough to give Colin another glare before facing back to Rhys again. “Oh, no, they do not, my lord. Perhaps someone was simply stretching their legs?” 

She paused to consider what she really was looking for in an ideal husband. Due to her past, she had not really stopped to consider what it was she actually wanted, other than characteristics that could describe Colin. And she could hardly use that as an example.

“Well, he would have to be kind,” she started, her head tilted as she thought. “Preferably he would be intelligent, as I do like to read and discuss the books I read with others,” and truth be told, she had enough exposure to her sisters irritating husbands to want something less. “Lastly, he would have to be someone I could respect, which negates a lot of the male members in society.”

“Oh, yes, that would make some sense.” Rhys glanced across the table and caught Colin quickly looking askance. “Yes, I see what you mean,” he murmured.

Colin’s dinner partner was waiting for the man, who was still trying to attract Penelope’s attention, to serve from the platter of cut beef that had just been served while their miniature soup tureens had been cleared. Since Colin seemed to have forgotten his manners, Rhys offered a few slices to Miss Jenner and then turned to Penelope, smiling and placing a few slices on her plate before placing a couple on his own. Colin looked expectantly at Rhys and while they held one another’s stares, Rhys deliberately placed the serving utensils down, on his side of the platter.

He listened to Penelope talk about the sort of man she wanted in a husband and he wondered why she had so little expectations. Is this what it was like for women who did not realize their own worth? Rhys wondered.

“If you could have your own library, what would you fill it with?” he asked curiously, cutting into the tender piece of meat. He chewed and then she made her quip about men, he found himself laughing a little, because he could see her point of view.

“And what sorts of qualities, besides kindness and a well stocked library would gain your respect, Miss Featherington?”